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Play of New Orleans Saints undrafted rookie Glenn Foster a surprise of camp: notebook

Glenn Fosters strips ball: Kansas City Chiefs vs. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints defensive end Glenn Foster (74) strips the ball from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray (9) during the preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs at the Superdome on Friday, August 9, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)

Two
preseason games into his professional career, Foster, an undrafted rookie
defensive end out of Illinois, is one of the New Orleans Saints' biggest surprises.

"It
feels pretty awesome," Foster said. "To be able to transition from practice to
games is always good. It's something I have been working on this whole
offseason. To see it pay off is really good.

"Whenever
a free agent or anyone comes out (and) shows out like that, you feel confident going
into the next game that you can do more. With that energy and that level, anything is possible."

Despite
arriving in New Orleans with little to no fanfare, Foster leads the team
with three sacks. He also leads all Saints defensive linemen with seven tackles and has three quarterback hits and two
tackles for losses.

"I
knew I had the talent to be drafted and be a contender here," Foster said. "I
just felt like let me go out here and prove to these coaches, to the league,
this organization that I am here to play.

"It's
a shocker (to be leading the team in sacks). I haven't had a quarterback
sack/forced fumble in college, so it came off as a surprise."

Foster
began to gain notice in practices because of his ability to use his
explosiveness and quick reaction to make plays in the offensive backfield.

Then
he followed those workouts with a nice performance in the exhibition opener
against the Kansas City Chiefs by recording a sack and three tackles. He was
even better against the Raiders last week when he had four tackles, two sacks
and three hits on the quarterback.

With
Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks entrenched as the starting defensive ends, Foster
has played himself into the conversation for a roster spot.

It's
unclear how many defensive ends the Saints will keep, but Foster has outplayed
fellow defensive ends Tyrunn Walker and Tom Johnson.

"He's
playing exceptionally well," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "I don't think
that's made it difficult (for the coaches to making a decision). When you get a
player that comes in a rookie class as an undrafted free agent and is playing
like he is and well enough to make the team, that's a good deal. That's a good
sign.

"We are
pleased with how he is playing. He has been very consistent. He's explosive. He
is a player who after the draft a handful of teams were interested in, and
fortunately for us, we were able to get him to a contract."

The
6-foot-4, 285-pound Foster went undrafted despite
finishing his collegiate career with 23
starts, 73 tackles, 11 tackles for a losses, four sacks, one interception and
three passes defensed.

But not long after
April's draft ended, Foster was on the phone with Payton, who was trying to woo
Foster by giving the defensive lineman the company line about the Saints'
recent history with undrafted free agents.

Foster also was
receiving strong interest from a handful of other teams, with the Chiefs being the biggest player.

But the story of how
Saints running back Pierre Thomas, another former Illinois standout, was able
to make to make the roster after going undrafted, helped seal the deal.

"He
had committed to Kansas City," Payton said. "But he and I spoke probably three
different times in that hour (after the draft). When we are talking to a free
agent one of the things we try to talk about is our past track record and that
we've had a number of players make this team that weren't necessarily drafted.

"These players coming out now are very
smart about depth chart of the roster and not making a decision over $2,500
prior to taxes in a signing bonus. They are really looking close at 'where can
I make the team and have a chance.' And to his credit and fortunately for us,
he chose us."

On
Monday, just days after Toon and rookie receiver Kenny Stills shined in a
preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, the Saints cut veteran receivers Steve
Breaston and Patrick Crayton. Those moves all but guarantee Toon and
Stills will be in the Saints' four-receiver rotation, along with starters
Marques Colston and Lance Moore.

"My
approach to the roster has always been such that it's out of my control," said
Toon, who caught a 56-yard pass against the Raiders. "All I can do is control
how I perform and what I do. The rest is out of my hands. Those are decisions
that are above me.

"My
job is just to go out there and showcase my ability and help the team in any
way I can. The rest will take care of itself."

LOOMIS TO SPEAK: Saints general manager Mickey
Loomis will be a featured speaker at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club
on Monday. Loomis will be joined by Tulane football coach Curtis Johnson, LSU
coordinator of football relations Charles Baglio and Newman coach Nelson
Stewart. The meeting will be at the Cannery,
3803 Toulouse St.